The husky and pitbull mix, also known as a pitsky, is perhaps one of the most loving and loyal breeds of dogs. They adore their owners as they provide owners with unconditional love and friendship, epitomizing them as our best friends.
Because of this remarkable trait, it is no surprise that many people wish to own this pitbull and husky mix. Check out this guide containing everything that you need to know about this lovable breed.
Characteristics
Below we venture into the basic characteristics of a pit bull and husky mix.
Measurements and Lifespan
- Height: 19-25 inches tall
- Weight: 30-80 pounds
- Lifespan: 12-16 years
Appearance
Their fur may come in a variety of colors, depending on the dog’s parents. Furthermore, the fur may be long like a husky or short like a pit bull.
Their ears may either stand sturdily, be floppy, or even both at once. Their body shapes tend to represent either the muscular pitbull or the thinner and lightweight husky. Though they have various eye colors, blue is common among this mix due to the husky typically having blue eyes.
Owners should note that the appearance of the pit bull and Siberian husky mix as a puppy will not necessarily be the same as when they reach adulthood, as their permanent appearance is not certain until they are fully grown.
Behavior
Just like huskies and pitbulls, this mix is very energetic. Owners should be prepared to adequately attend to their dogs as they will need to exert their vibrant personalities properly.
As a result, they are not ideal for smaller home settings such as apartments. They are not suitable for owners seeking a dog that needs less attention. With a proper dedication to this breed, this dog can become the quintessential companion to any owner.
Like pit bulls, this crossbreed can’t be left alone for prolonged periods, as they inherit separation anxiety. This can become a problem if owners frequently leave them alone, leading to the dog destroying household items. Prospective owners should only adopt a pit bull and husky mix if they have an appropriate amount of time to dedicate to them.
Their energetic behavior makes this mix very athletic, and this is obvious through their ability to run quickly and hunt. The combination of the two breeds makes them a fiercely loyal companion to owners.
Another result of their energetic behavior is that owners will rarely find this mix relaxing. Even in a larger indoor environment, they will try their best to find something to do with their human companions throughout the day.
Despite their affection, they are stubborn and difficult to train. This trait is essential for owners to know, as teaching the pit bull and husky mix is vital for them to adapt to a home setting. They can be trained by owners, but it requires much time and patience to do so.
Finally, this mix is known for its intelligence. Their intelligence can potentially make this dog useful as a watchdog. While it is not always guaranteed that they will perform specific tasks, their intelligence is constant.
Health
Given that experts have only recently classified the pitsky as a dog breed, there are relatively few health concerns that come up with this mix. Some common health issues in pitskies are:
- General allergies: Most commonly shown when a dog is frequently sneezing.
- Hyperthyroidism: Excessive metabolism due to the overproduction of the thyroid hormone. This increase in metabolism can result in weight loss and diarrhea.
- Hip Dysplasia: When the hip joint does not develop properly. This condition results in bouts of pain and eventual loss of function.
While these health issues aren’t common, owners should still be aware of these conditions. If left untreated, these conditions can pose additional health risks. Should any of these conditions occur, owners should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Owning A Pitsky
As previously mentioned, owning a pit bull and Siberian husky mix requires much time and dedication. Because of how active this mix is, there are various things that owners should know to be able to take care of them properly.
Exercise
A pitsky needs to live in a bigger house with space for it to roam. A backyard is an excellent addition to this, as it will maximize their ability to exert their energetic selves outside of their house.
When owners are not present, strong chew toys are ideal. Because of their energetic personalities, they need to be kept occupied. Therefore, toys that are durable and long-lasting will help keep them busy.
Pitskies are capable of covering long distances, and therefore many experts recommend that owners walk them for longer periods. An ideal session of exercise with this crossbreed should last around 90 minutes. This husky and pitbull mix can be a substantial companion for running and hiking, as their endurance allows them to keep up with their owners in outdoor activities.
The most important aspect of keeping them active is ensuring that they go outside the house daily. Even in households with an abundance of space, they will need to exert their energetic tendencies to the maximum with the most area possible. Therefore, owners must take them outside.
If their needs to exercise are not adequately taken care of, this crossbreed can turn aggressive towards household items. This dog will not learn to adapt to a smaller environment, as this crossbreed is naturally drawn to open, energy-filled households. Owners that are unable or unwilling to provide such a background should not consider adopting this crossbreed.
Training
Though physical activity is important when owning this dog, keeping their minds occupied is also very important. Therefore, immediately after adoption, owners should train them.
The main goal of training a pitbull and Siberian husky mix is to achieve mental stimulation. Obedience training is one way for pitskies to be mentally stimulated. While pitskies are not ideal for service dogs, obedience training will help the owner interact with their pitsky in a peaceful and understanding way.
Another benefit of obedience training is that the owner can stop the dog from behaving negatively without repeatedly asking. Since obedience training establishes an almost direct communication line between dogs and their owners, they will readily listen to their owners in even the most difficult of circumstances.
It may initially seem that training this dog will be difficult. The key to training any pitbull and husky mix is giving treats as a reward for following basic commands. Giving treats encourages dogs to perform tricks and obey commands as they enjoy eating them.
Owners should note that certain brands of treats are not always the healthiest for these dogs. Therefore, they should check that the ingredients used in the treats they buy contain natural alternatives and few artificial ingredients.
Another way to properly train them is to play engaging yet less physical games with them. While it does not contribute significantly to their physical activity, it strengthens the dog’s bond with the owner. A critical factor in enhancing the bond between dogs and owners lies in positive reinforcement. This allows for dogs to be more playful and mindful when their owners are around.
Training should continue until the owner feels that they know their dog well enough, and their dog is accustomed to their new and permanent way of life.
Feeding A Pitsky
Due to their size and athleticism, this breed must eat a lot. The best food option for pitskies are dry foods. Dry foods that are made for larger and active dogs and specific age groups work best on pitskies. This factor is essential as different age groups have specific dietary requirements. Manufacturers often list age groups classified by dog foods as puppies, adults, and seniors.
Pitskies should consume foods that are high in:
- Meats
- Vitamins
- Minerals
The main goal of the diet is to build muscle, not to gain weight. Obesity is preventable, and one of the easiest ways to prevent it is by feeding pitskies only the appropriate foods and amounts.
When feeding a Siberian husky mixed with pitbull, owners should also mind the yield. The best yield for a pitsky is 2.5-3 cups of food in two separate meals per day. Because of the relatively large amount of food that they consume, owners should make sure not to serve all of their daily food at once. Serving all of their daily food in one meal can lead to bloating.
There are many foods available made with custom formulas. Therefore, consumers should check the manufacturer’s recommendations, as the yield of 2.5-3 cups is a general recommendation and not applicable to all food brands.
Raw Meat Diet
An alternative option that has gained much attention from consumers is a raw meat diet. A raw meat diet can be ideal for a pitsky, especially considering that the best pitsky diet focuses on building muscle while avoiding additional preservatives and artificial ingredients. Before making any decisions, owners should consult a veterinarian to ensure that this diet is appropriate for their pitsky.
Owners with questions regarding the diet of their pitskies should consult a veterinarian. This is ideal as every dog is different, and therefore the general diet may not always be applicable. Furthermore, issues such as eating disorders can interfere with the otherwise typical dietary plans of pitskies. Consequently, owners must go over their diets with veterinarians.
Grooming
While many qualities of pitskies remain uncertain until adulthood, one factor that remains certain is shedding. However, the grooming needs of a pitsky may vary depending on which breed’s genes are more dominant.
If a pitbull and Siberian husky mix have their fur more reminiscent of a pitbull, their shedding will remain relatively light. If this is the case, the good news is that owners will only have to brush their dogs occasionally.
If a pitsky has fur like a husky, then it will require more maintenance. Brushing is needed much more frequently. Trimming is also necessary. Failing to perform either task can lead to matting and tangling. Either owners or a professional groomer can do this.
Aside from shedding, there are other needs that all pitskies have involving grooming:
- Owners should brush their teeth 3-5 times per week to keep their mouths clean and safe from infection.
- To prevent excessive wax buildup, owners should clean pitskies ears 2-4 times a month.
- Their nails should be trimmed whenever they extend noticeably beyond their paws.
- Owners should bathe them at least once a month, but they may need to do it more frequently if their pitsky is outside often.
Furthermore, should they become noticeably dirty after a long day out, it is best to bathe them immediately after to prevent dirt build-up.
Breed History
This crossbreed has an interesting history. First, it is a mix of a pit bull and either a Siberian husky, which was first brought to the United States for sled racing, or the Alaskan husky, which was bred for heavy-duty labor.
The Siberian husky is known for being affectionate and athletic, which is obvious in the pitsky. Meanwhile, the Alaskan husky was bred at times for different tasks such as speed or endurance. As a result of the differing needs, it has notable variations in appearance.
Furthermore, the Alaskan husky is not a purebred dog, as it is mainly a mix of different huskies and/or hounds. Because of this, the pitbull and husky mix have various appearances.
Like their Siberian counterparts, Alaskan huskies are affectionate and show this by being very energetic with their human companions. Though they were bred specifically for labor purposes, their loving approach could never be taken away.
Therefore, no matter the background of a particular pit bull and husky mix, the traits of athleticism and affection are certain.
Conclusion
While this mix does require much time and dedication, their affection for their owners is unparalleled. This mix encourages interaction like few others, and if given enough time, owners will have a great bond with their dog. If they can make time and space for a pitsky, they should consider owning one, as it will define what a man’s best friend is.